By Ankit Kumar | Updated: October 13, 2025 12:56 PM IST
The Delhi Test witnessed something unexpected. The Indian cricket team, which was looking forward to celebrating victory after enforcing the follow-on, is now batting in the fourth innings. After 4711 days, India witnessed a day when, despite enforcing the follow-on, it was forced to bat again in the second innings.
After being bundled out for 248 in the first innings, the match was considered almost over for the West Indies. But after the follow-on, the team made a tremendous comeback. John Campbell and Shai Hope surprised India with their centuries. These two batsmen continued their partnership from the third day into the fourth.
The West Indies lower-order pair also performed brilliantly. Justin Greaves scored a half-century, while Jayden Seales added 32 crucial runs to trouble the Indian bowlers. Their partnership delayed India’s victory for a while and made the match exciting.
This was the 41st time in Test history that India had enforced a follow-on, but only the fourth time that India had to bat after doing so. This statistic itself speaks volumes about the level of determination and fight displayed by the West Indies in the Delhi Test.
This is only the second time in the 21st century that India was forced to bat after enforcing the follow-on. The previous incident occurred in November 2012 against England under MS Dhoni’s captaincy. India won that match by chasing a target of 80 runs.
After Dhoni, when Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma took over as captains, India never faced such a situation. Under Shubman Gill’s captaincy, after 4711 days, Team India had to bat in the fourth innings.
India has a strong record when enforcing follow-ons. So far, India has enforced the follow-on 40 times, winning 28 of those matches, while 12 ended in draws.
Although India has to bat in the fourth innings this time, hopes of victory remain. The team needs only 121 runs with nine wickets in hand. Howev